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NEW ZEALAND SPINAL TRUST 32<br />
Running for<br />
Those Who Can’t<br />
Red Bull’s Wings for Life World Run<br />
On the first weekend of May every year, The<br />
Wings for Life World Run is held around the<br />
globe. It’s a running competition, which has<br />
been staged since 2014, to raise funds for the<br />
not-for-profit foundation Wings for Life.<br />
The entry fee goes completely to the foundation who have<br />
the goal to find a cure for spinal cord injuries and<br />
paraplegia. The foundation supports research and studies<br />
on the spinal cord and spinal cord injuries.<br />
Wings for Life was established by two-time motocross<br />
world champion Heinz Kinigadner and Red Bull founder<br />
Dietrich Mateschitz in 2004. Founder Heinz is involved<br />
because his brother and his son, both motocross riders,<br />
are wheelchair users after sustaining serious injuries.<br />
Worldwide, millions of people are living with the impact<br />
of a spinal cord injury. In over half of cases, these<br />
injuries are caused by a traffic accident or a fall. They<br />
can affect anybody.<br />
The Wings for Life World Run is unique. People take part<br />
across the world at exactly the same moment, all<br />
connected by an App. People can therefore run together<br />
with thousands of others without needing to be together<br />
at a single location.<br />
Anyone aged 18 and over can take part. The past few<br />
events have seen a diverse field of participants. Taking<br />
part are runners and wheelchair users, beginners and<br />
professionals of all ages. This gives the Wings for Life<br />
World Run an incomparable atmosphere.<br />
There is no set distance. Instead, a moving finish line<br />
called a ‘Catcher Car’ pursues the participant at an<br />
increasing speed! When the Catcher Car catches the<br />
participant, their run is over.<br />
The App will keep the participant updated by telling<br />
them how far ahead they are and telling them when they<br />
are eventually caught. When the participant’s race is<br />
complete they’ll see their result on the Global<br />
<strong>Res</strong>ult List.<br />
The run also takes place in 35 locations around the world<br />
at the same time and is broadcast live on Red Bull TV.<br />
In its sixth year, Wings for Life World Run participants in<br />
New Zealand can also run together in Auckland, should<br />
the situation at the time allow this. The race starts at<br />
exactly 11pm.<br />
The Wings For Life World Run give participants the chance to run / wheel<br />
together with thousands of others around the world without needing to be<br />
together at a single location. Photo credit: Red Bull.<br />
How does it work?<br />
• Download the Wings for Life World Run App to your<br />
phone and register for 9 May <strong>2021</strong>.<br />
• You have the option of running individually, or you can<br />
join a nearby Organised App Run, should the situation<br />
at the time allow this.<br />
• You'll start at the same time as everyone else in the<br />
world and will be chased by a virtual ‘Catcher Car’ .<br />
• Your App will keep you updated by telling you how<br />
far ahead you are and telling you when you are<br />
eventually caught.<br />
• Then your race is complete and you'll see your result on<br />
the Global <strong>Res</strong>ult List.<br />
• It costs $34.95 to take part and this entry fee goes to<br />
the Wings for Life foundation. <br />
Find out more about the Wings For Life Run here:<br />
www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com
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